Pelosi Statement on Passage of Legislation to Protect America’s Public Lands

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement after House Democrats passed critical legislation to protect our public lands – H.R. 1373, the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act; H.R. 2181, the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act; and H.R. 823, the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act:

"Today, the Democratic House has taken a landmark step to preserve our nation's cherished public wild lands and our natural and cultural heritage for generations to come. We salute the outstanding leadership of Chairman Grijalva, Assistant Speaker Luján, Congressman Neguse, Congresswoman Haaland and all Members of the Natural Resources Committee on these critical bills. The Senate now must immediately take up this legislation, which protects public health, strengthens local economies, respects the rights of tribal communities and honors our responsibility to leave a healthy and sustainable environment to our children and grandchildren.

"Throughout America's history, our nation's leaders have been committed to celebrating and preserving our natural heritage – from President Thomas Jefferson's charge to Gallatin to build the infrastructure of America, to Theodore Roosevelt laying the foundation for the National Park Service, to Congress establishing Grand Canyon National Park one hundred years ago. Sadly, the Trump Administration since Day One has inflicted its toxic agenda on our nation, putting the interests of big polluters before the good of the American people by trying to auction off our public lands and cherished natural monuments to the highest corporate bidder. Its latest attempt to open up land near our sacred national parks, including the Grand Canyon, to big mining companies poses grave public health, economic and even national security risks, according to leading nuclear and national security experts.

"As we celebrate the centennial of the founding of Grand Canyon National Park, House Democrats are proud to fight the Trump Administration's special interest attacks on this iconic public land and on dozens of other cherished parks and monuments across America. We will continue to work every day to protect the future of our environment and our planet, and to fight to preserve clean air, clean water and the beauty of our public lands for the next generation."